Princeton Area COMMUNITY FOUNDATION th 1991 20 2011 ANNIVERSARY ANNUAL REPORT A story that starts right where you’re standing ... he story starts twenty years ago, They pictured a prudently managed All this they imagined— The Community Foundation is one when a few visionary residents hub overseen by a diverse board and then they created it. public institution that is preparing us for from among our region’s twenty of civic leaders, where donations the future instead of borrowing against Tcommunities did something brilliant could be invested together to grow, Their idea was, and is, your Community it. If we owe anything to anyone, it’s for all of us. where anyone could become a donor, Foundation. The secure, well-managed simply to celebrate the foresight of the They imagined something that and where donors became true public resource they envisioned is now generous people who came before us, hadn’t been here before — an philanthropists—able over time to a $75 million consortium of funds, and are all around us, still contributing, establishment belonging to everyone, grant out even more than they had growing so it can be deployed to tackle still imagining. Their example inspires where generous people could go to get put in, and able at any moment to our region’s most urgent challenges every one of us to think about the needs expert support and hear creative ideas call on a team of professionals with a and seize promising opportunities to of our neighbors and be good stewards that would help them to amplify and knowledge of the community’s needs improve lives throughout the greater of their gifts, and of our community, for achieve their charitable intentions. and resources that truly runs deep. Mercer County region. those who will come next. Photo by James Loesch “Twenty years ago the phone rang. Twenty people who have helped make the Community Foundation It was our good friend Stanley Smoyer. He told us about his vision what it is today share recollections from the past twenty years— for a community foundation and then casually asked us for $1 million. Jay and their hopes for the future. To these special individuals and to countless chuckled. However, we recognized the value of this idea and decided to others who have supported our mission, thank you! get involved. Over the years it has been a rewarding experience. The Community Foundation’s growth is As a community, we owe Stan Smoyer (1912–2010) an enormous remarkable, and its benefit to the debt of gratitude for showing us how to be active, effective, and community, grantors and grantees happy contributors of time, talent and treasure to family, friends, civic alike, has been extraordinary. We are groups, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations alike. proud to be part of this success.” Quite simply, and not to diminish the contributions of many others, the Community Foundation would not be here were it not for Stan —Jay & Amy Regan, early supporters, and his generosity, vision, and leadership. He was our first donor, our longtime partners and Associates second board chair, our first and still only Trustee Emeritus, and one of our most loyal friends and cheerleaders. “Prior to 1993, I had never “When Stan Smoyer asked me to become part even heard of a community of the Foundation, I was struck by his ardor and Stan Smoyer, founding trustee, chair of the board (1995 –1996), inspiration foundation. In the eighteen years commitment, which I soon realized were shared by since, I have become convinced the remarkable staff and dedicated board. I came “I have always believed that the that these foundations represent to appreciate that it was not only the people, but closer to home you give, the the optimal vehicle for managing the mission that makes the Community Foundation more you get for your money.” one’s philanthropy. The a critical force. It plays, and will continue to play, a Community Foundation is an major role in shaping our community.” —Betty Wold Johnson, early efficient, knowledgeable, flexible supporter and longtime Associate organization that is responsive —Tom Harvey, former board chair (2005 – 2008) to the desires of the donors and “It was a great honor when I was the needs of the community. asked to participate in the Community Creating funds at the Community “Art worked with Stan Smoyer at Johnson & Foundation’s founding and early years. Foundation is simple, Johnson, and Stan asked him to get involved I met folks who have a real concern inexpensive, and allows donors, with starting the Community Foundation. for their less fortunate neighbors. I still as they wish, to draw on the Art had been a devoted fundraiser for many feel the way I did at the beginning: it’s expertise of a professional staff organizations he was involved with, and he a privilege to be part of an organization to assist in their philanthropy.” liked the idea. He was enthusiastic about the that thinks first of others.” Community Foundation’s early growth and —Bill Burks, longtime trustee, would be so pleased at what it has become —Jim Floyd, founding trustee and former chair of the board twenty years on.” first Grants Committee chair (1997– 2005) —The family of Art Lane (1910 –1997), signer of the Articles of Incorporation, founding trustee “The Princeton Area Community “As a founder, I never imagined the Foundation represents the best our region Community Foundation would see “I became interested in the Community Foundation because of the many can be—good people harnessing resources the growth it’s had. Think what it will services it offered my charitably inclined clients in my estate planning to help others who may not have as many be in another twenty years at this practice. I’ve remained involved for nearly a decade because of the opportunities. I am pleased to have helped rate! We can all be proud.” wonderful work I’ve seen it accomplish throughout the region. My dream is recruit other proud Trentonians to join the that as we grow and mature, we’ll become a more significant force in the Community Foundation’s board.” —Stuart Carothers, founder, chair of the board (1991 – 1994), with Barbara community whose presence at the table will help find solutions for the many —Debby D’Arcangelo, former vice chair of the Bombieri, founding trustee and former challenges we face.” board and of the Committee on Trustees board secretary —Ann Reichelderfer, current chair of the board (2009 – 2012) 2 Princeton Area Community Foundation 20th Anniversary Annual Report 3 “The Princeton Area Community Foundation has taught me how to be a “Working with the Community Foundation ‘philanthropist,’ a title I used to think was reserved for the most wealthy and has changed my thinking about my personal most generous in our society: Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett, for giving from an emphasis on charities that example. Over the years, the Community Foundation has convinced me that address the immediate needs of those in everyone can be a philanthropist, and everyone should try. The title applies distress to philanthropy. What separates philanthropy from other types of giving is to each of us, whether we give $50 or $500 or $5,000 to a favored nonprofit purpose, vision, and timeframe. Philanthropy or charity. The foundation’s efficient, effective, and caring staff nurtures the takes a longer view and focuses not philanthropist that lies in each one of us, if we only recognize it and say the necessarily on those in need but rather on word aloud several times to get used to it. Why not celebrate the Community the institutions and policies that impact their Foundation’s first twenty years by letting it add this title to your résumé?” lives. Communities need both charity and philanthropy, but it is philanthropy that will —Susie Wilson, former trustee and board secretary, current co-chair have the greatest impact in the long run.” of the Fund for Women and Girls “I remember a meeting, held in —Eleanor Horne, current vice chair the Community Foundation’s and Grants Committee chair “I have long believed that very first office, that Stu there is no limit to what smart Carothers had set up with “It has been tremendously gratifying people with creative ideas can potential donors to suggest to witness the steady growth of the achieve. So when approached that they roll their private Community Foundation’s resources and by Stan Smoyer and others foundation into the Community resulting contributions to the community, whom I respect and trust, I Foundation. But since we especially its impact on the lives of those was pleased to support the lacked much of a track record, who are less well-off.” Princeton Area Community these donors declined. Today Foundation—and I am the Community Foundation —Helmut & Caroline Weymar, early delighted by its growth and has an enviable track record of supporters and longtime Associates success.” over $70 million of assets, and it is the premier philanthropic —Jim Burke, early supporter address in our community. We “I think the most valuable funds and longtime Associate clearly have come a long way. are those which are unrestricted,” “There are many important said Frank Taplin, a philanthropist factors that propelled the of exceptional generosity and Community Foundation to vision. His gifts will allow future “We know that the future growth of where it is today, just one of generations to respond to needs this community asset depends on which is that the founding that are not even apparent today. our careful stewardship today. As leadership was determined to have a diverse group of —Frank Taplin (1915 – 2003), early a donor and trustee, I am attracted “As a businessman active in Trenton, I talented people willing to supporter and longtime Associate by the efficiency and economies of knew of the many needs in the city and accept responsibility as working scale the Community Foundation its surroundings.